By now you probably know the details. <\/p>\n
Dr. Carmen Puliafito, a $1.1-million-a-year professor, doctor, dean and big-bucks rainmaker for the University of Southern California, left plenty of time in his busy schedule for extracurricular activities. <\/p>\n
They included drug-fueled parties with a prostitute, convicted criminals and drug addicts. Los Angeles Times sleuths dug up photos of Puliafitos exploits in hotel rooms, apartments and even the deans office at USC, including a shot of him using a butane torch to light a glass pipe while a female companion smoked heroin. <\/p>\n
RELATED: An overdose, a young companion, drug-fueled parties: The secret life of USC med school dean <\/p>\n
In Mondays bombshell expose in The Times, reporters Paul Pringle, Harriet Ryan, Adam Elmahrek, Matt Hamilton and Sarah Parvini also reported the details of a 911 call from a Pasadena hotel where a woman had overdosed before being hospitalized. She later told reporters that she and Puliafito had been partying together for two days. <\/p>\n
But Im not interested in pounding on Puliafito here. The man appears to have serious problems. He needs help and I hope he gets it. <\/p>\n
Complex addiction doesnt respect age, income or title, said a USC-trained physician, who added that he thinks USC will survive this episode, but Puliafito and his family may need help to get through it. <\/p>\n
The physician, who didnt want his name used, also suggested that, given the private schools endless quest for money, Puliafitos strengths made him like a star quarterback and he was worth keeping in the game if they could keep the incident private, too. <\/p>\n
Alex J. Berliner \/ Associated Press <\/p>\n
Dr. Carmen A. Puliafito <\/p>\n
Dr. Carmen A. Puliafito (Alex J. Berliner \/ Associated Press) <\/p>\n
And thats the part of the story that interests me most the actions and non-actions of USC administrators and the Pasadena Police Department. <\/p>\n
Let me start with the latter. <\/p>\n
On March 4, 2016, paramedics and police responded to the call from the hotel where Puliafitos companion had passed out. But the responding officer did not file a report on the incident, even though methamphetamine was found in the room. After dogged questioning by my colleague Paul Pringle, Pasadena officials said a report should have been filed and the officer had been disciplined. <\/p>\n
Does anyone think for a minute that if an average Joe had been in that room, he wouldnt have been written up, investigated and possibly charged? <\/p>\n
Did someone influential intercede on behalf of Puliafito to protect his reputation and preserve his status as a prodigious USC fundraiser who schmoozed with the likes of billionaire Larry Ellison, Jay Leno, Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, Martin Short and developer Rick Caruso? <\/p>\n
If the allegations are true, said Caruso, a USC graduate and member of the schools board of trustees, I'm very disturbed and condemn the illegal use of drugs, especially by someone who holds the highest level of trust and care. <\/p>\n
But, like I said, Im less disturbed by what Puliafito might have done, and more disturbed by what his bosses didnt do. <\/p>\n
The Times reported that 10 days after the hotel incident, an anonymous complaint about Puliafito was submitted to two employees in the office of USC President C.L. Max Nikias. A week and a half later, Puliafito resigned as dean. He later told The Times by email that he had voluntarily decided to move on and pursue a job in biotech. <\/p>\n
That sounded suspicious, given what The Times knew. But a Nikias staffer told our reporters: The president will not be speaking to The Times on this matter. <\/p>\n
Maybe thats because Nikias was too busy planning a celebratory, catered wingding for Puliafito. If youre poor and have a drug problem, you land on skid row. If youre rich and connected, its cocktails and kudos. <\/p>\n
In June of last year, three months after Puliafitos resignation as dean, he was honored by various USC administrators, including Nikias. <\/p>\n
Today, we have one of the, not just the areas, but the nations preeminent medical schools and medical enterprises and, in many ways, thanks to the leadership of Carmen, Nikias gushed. <\/p>\n
Are money and prestige all that matter? <\/p>\n
Did Puliafitos prolific fundraising and ability to draw top medical talent earn him not just a pass, but a party? <\/p>\n
Reporter Pringle sent numerous emails to Nikias and his associates over more than a year, respectfully asking for an interview. He was ignored each time. <\/p>\n
Pringle sent Nikias an email with numerous questions about the Pasadena hotel incident and USCs handling of the Puliafito matter, and requested, yet again, an interview with the president. <\/p>\n
No interview was granted. (Nor did I get anywhere Wednesday with my requests for an interview with Nikias and Puliafito). <\/p>\n
And heres a detail that might make any self-respecting Trojan root for UCLA next year: <\/p>\n
Despite having resigned as dean, Puliafito remained on the faculty and continued to see patients for more than a year. <\/p>\n
Only after the story hit on Monday did USC release a statement saying Puliafito is currently on leave from his roles at USC, including seeing patients. And then on Tuesday, Nikias sent a letter to the USC community saying we are working to determine how we can best prevent these kinds of circumstances going forward. <\/p>\n
Shouldnt that have begun more than a year ago, when The Times first started asking questions? <\/p>\n
The mood on campus is one of stunned depression, a USC physician said in an email to me, asking me not to use his name. Students are upset that this was allowed to happen at their medical school, while the faculty are flabbergasted as well as embarrassed. The physician said that in his opinion, Puliafito should have been immediately suspended in March 2016 and an investigation launched. <\/p>\n
By allowing him to continue to practice, he said, patients health was put at risk. <\/p>\n
Thats consistent with sentiments expressed Wednesday when the dean who replaced Puliafito told a gathering of students that his predecessors alleged actions were horrible and despicable. <\/p>\n
Students at that meeting said university officials should have known more about Puliafitos behavior. One woman said it seems shocking that no one has been able to figure anything out. <\/p>\n
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Read more:<\/p>\n
USC bosses flunk the leadership test amid shocking allegations about former medical school dean - Los Angeles Times<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By now you probably know the details. Continue reading